Meaning
To use money to buy things or services.
Cultural Background
The 'cultura de las tapas' involves 'gastar dinero' in small amounts across multiple bars. It's social spending. The term 'dar el gatazo' is slang related to spending money to look better than you are, though 'gastar' remains the base verb for transactions. Due to inflation, 'gastar dinero' quickly is sometimes seen as a strategy because the value of 'la plata' drops.
The 'En' Rule
Always use 'en' after the phrase to specify the item. 'Gasto dinero en café'.
Time Trap
Never use 'gastar' for time unless you mean you are literally wasting it in a very negative way.
Meaning
To use money to buy things or services.
The 'En' Rule
Always use 'en' after the phrase to specify the item. 'Gasto dinero en café'.
Time Trap
Never use 'gastar' for time unless you mean you are literally wasting it in a very negative way.
Regional Slang
In many countries, 'plata' is more common than 'dinero' in casual speech.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'gastar'.
Yo no ______ mucho dinero en zapatos.
The subject is 'Yo', so the verb must end in -o.
Which preposition follows 'gastar dinero'?
Gasté mi dinero ____ un coche nuevo.
In Spanish, you spend money 'in' (en) something.
Match the phrase to the intent.
¡No gastes dinero en eso!
The imperative 'no gastes' is a command or advice not to use money.
Complete the dialogue.
A: ¿Por qué estás triste? B: Porque ______ todo mi dinero ayer.
The word 'ayer' (yesterday) requires the past tense.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Gastar vs. Pasar
Practice Bank
4 exercisesYo no ______ mucho dinero en zapatos.
The subject is 'Yo', so the verb must end in -o.
Gasté mi dinero ____ un coche nuevo.
In Spanish, you spend money 'in' (en) something.
¡No gastes dinero en eso!
The imperative 'no gastes' is a command or advice not to use money.
A: ¿Por qué estás triste? B: Porque ______ todo mi dinero ayer.
The word 'ayer' (yesterday) requires the past tense.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questionsGenerally no. Use 'pasar tiempo'. 'Gastar tiempo' sounds like you are wasting it, but even then 'perder el tiempo' is more natural.
'Gastar' is neutral (to spend). 'Malgastar' is negative (to waste/misspend).
Yes, it follows all standard -ar verb conjugation rules.
Use the formula: [Subject] + [Gastar conjugated] + dinero + en + [Noun]. Example: 'Gasto dinero en libros'.
Yes, 'plata' (literally silver) is the most common informal word for money in Latin America.
Yes! That is a common idiom meaning 'to play a joke'.
Related Phrases
Ahorrar dinero
contrastTo save money
Tirar la casa por la ventana
specialized formTo spare no expense
Malgastar
similarTo waste money
Invertir dinero
similarTo invest money
